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Currently Browsing: April, 2002
AFM Completes Negotiations for New Film Recording Agreements
Negotiations for the AFM’s third set of national recording agreements – the Theatrical Motion Picture Agreement and Television Film Agreement – took place in Los Angeles Feb. 6-15. A memorandum of understanding was being finalized by legal counsel for the
Brooklyn Philharmonic and 802 Reach a Tentative Agreement
Freelance Negotiations Update
Local 802 and management of the Brooklyn Philharmonic had reached tentative agreement on a new contract as this issue went to press, after the most difficult and contentious negotiation of the current bargaining cycle. The agreement includes the basic economic
Health Benefits Plan Discussed at Membership Meeting
A membership discussion of the severe financial pressures Local 802’s Health Benefits Plan has been facing for the last three years was launched at the February membership meeting. President Bill Moriarity has reported on the situation in several columns in
Local 802 and its Members Protest WNYC Format Change
A decision to sharply curtail the broadcasting of classical music on radio station WNYC has drawn strong protests from Local 802, its members, and the general public. After a closed door meeting on March 7, the station’s Board of Trustees
Retirement Security & Corporate Governance in the Wake of Enron
Guest Commentary
(Following are excerpts from a statement issued by the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Feb. 27. To read the full statement, which includes a great deal of information omitted here for reasons of space, visit www.aflcio.org/publ/estatements/feb2002/governance.htm. The web site includes an
President’s Report
Pension Fund Prepares to Implement Changes
In last month’s report on the arbitrator’s decision on modifications to the AFM-EP Fund’s pre- and post-retirement benefits, I noted that implementation of these changes was to be discussed at the Feb. 19 and 20 trustee meetings. These meetings have
802 Posted a Loss in 2001
Controller's Report
For the year ended Dec. 31, 2001, Local 802 incurred a loss of $90,460, compared with the gain of $261,079 recorded during the prior year. It was the first time the union has experienced a loss since 1993. The year-to-year
A Tale of Two Sessions
Shine A Light On Dark Dates
The downturn in the recording industry has alarmed many musicians, and has led some to decide to take any work that comes along. I can understand why someone might come to this conclusion – but I disagree with their logic.
802 Web Page Adds New Links to Member & Signatory Web Sites
From Michael Aarons to Jimmy Young. That’s the range of 802 members whose personal web sites were linked to the local’s web page as this article was written: 127 of them. And Joe Rodriguez, the staff member who maintains the
Salute To Vienna
“It’s total entertainment!” is how the Salute to Vienna orchestra advertised itself at the beginning of its tour early this year. But musicians found out that “total entertainment” really translated into “underscale wages” and “no benefits”. The touring orchestra, made
Introducing Local 802 Staff
Joe Delia began working for Local 802 last October, as a representative in the Concert Department. He brings five years of experience in the labor movement. After graduating from the AFLCIO Organizing Institute in 1996, he spent the next year
Jazz at Lincoln Center Contract Ratified
The collective bargaining between AFM Local 802 and Jazz at Lincoln Center has been ratified by the 15-member orchestra. The five-year contract, which took effect on Dec. 20, 2001, includes increase in scale wages, increases in health and pension contributions,
Reaching for the STARs – Latino Musicians Win a Voice@Work
AFM in the Press
AFM members are already aware of the landmark victory won by Latino musicians last fall, when, after a decade-long campaign, the five top Latin recording companies signed on to the phono agreement. The AFM’s STAR campaign was the cover story
Metropolitan Opera Music Staff
Musicians at Work
Presenting the Metropolitan Orchestra’s enormous repertoire poses a tremendous challenge. Helping to meet that challenge is one of the most unique groups of musicians working under an 802 collective bargaining agreement – the Metropolitan Opera Music Staff. The staff numbers
A Jazz Tribute to Stanley Michels
Local 802 and Parlour Entertainment joined in honoring for New York City Councilmember Stanley Michels and his wife Molly at a jazz program on Thursday, Feb 28, in the 802 Club Room. Michels, a councilmember from northern Manhattan since 1978,
The Importance of Social Connection
Musicians' Assistance Program
Devoting years to developing and maintaining one’s music ability – a calling that often requires long hours of isolated practice – can sometimes undermine a musician’s development of people skills. It’s possible that some people are drawn to pursuing music
Health Benefits: Domestic Partner Coverage Expands
Several month ago, the 802 Health Benefits Plan announced that coverage has been expanded to provide benefits for same-sex domestic partners. That coverage has now been expanded still further, to include domestic partners of the same or opposite sex. An
Legislative Update
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT FUNDS IN JEOPARDY HOUSE APPROVES BILL TO EXTEND JOBLESS AID HELP HALT PRESCRIPTION DRUG COST SERRRANO TO HEAD CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE STATE LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE CHANGES WORKFORCE INVESTMENT FUNDS IN JEOPARDY The New York City Council’s General Welfare
Negotiations Roundup
Chabad Centennial Rehearsal, performance and videotape. Sixty musicians, no union contract, no pension and health benefits, and wages of just $350. These were the sub-scale, nonunion terms presented to the musicians hired to perform in the Jewish Learning Group’s Chabad
Grievance Corner
Long Island Philharmonic A series of outstanding grievances have been resolved with the management of Long Island Philharmonic. In June 2001, two rostered musicians had not received first call for an engagement prior to the work being offered to substitute
Executive Board Minutes
January 29, 2002 -- February 19, 2002
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2002 Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Shankin and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens.
Bill Crow’s Band Room
The transformation of Woody Herman’s band in the mid-1940s from “The Band That Plays the Blues” to the modern jazz of the “Herman Herd” was effected by an enthusiastic group of young sidemusicians playing the arrangements of Woody’s new arranger,